Australian basketball is in mourning after the death of former Opals and Sydney Flames player Tiana Mangakahia from cancer at the age of 30.

She first played for the AIS and Townsville Fire before heading to the United States in 2017 to play college basketball for Syracuse University.

Mangakahia was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, while playing for Syracuse.

She recovered, returned to the court for Syracuse University and broke into the Opals, being part of the bronze medal-winning squad at the 2021 FIBA Asian Cup.

She returned to the WNBL in 2022/23 with the Sydney Flames.

Former pro basketballer Tiana Mangakahia has found her purpose as she fights breast cancer again Photo shows Tiana Mangakahia is wearing a pink t-shirt that says 'pink hoops', she's spinning a basket

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